Lightning Strike Closes Power Plant Until Late 2007 or Early 2008

Wisconsin Public Service Corporation updated the cost and timeline for repairing the damage resulting from the Oct. 6, 2007, lightning strike at its 321-megawatt Weston 3 power plant near Wausau, Wis.

The corporation expects the plant to be out of service until late 2007 or early 2008. Wisconsin Public Service has received approval from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) to defer the incremental cost of the replacement power, which gives Wisconsin Public Service the opportunity to recover the cost of the replacement power when those costs become known. The company expects those costs to be at least $26 million.

Wisconsin Public Service has requested similar deferral of non-fuel operating and maintenance costs incurred, which are currently estimated to be $8.3 million. This application is pending before the PSCW. EC